Transportation
Initiative

Bus Rapid Transit

Network Overview

C40 cities emit over 300 million tonnes of CO2 per year from the transport sector, and transport emissions continue to grow. However, it is also a sector that presents many opportunities, as C40 mayors exercise strong powers over transportation through ownership or operational control of key transport assets. Bus Rapid Transit is an efficient, high capacity, and cost effective transit solution that many C40 cities are using. Through the utilization of exclusive lanes, off-board fare payment, and platform level boarding, well-planned and delivered BRT systems with clean buses can provide “metro-quality” service at a fraction of the cost, generating enormous shift from private car to public transportation systems. With over 160 systems currently operating or under construction in 23 countries across five continents, quality BRT systems have become a robust alternative to rail in order to improve urban mobility and reduce GHG emissions. BRT is a flexible concept that can be configured specifically for the city it serves and the physical environment in which it operates.

The C40 BRT Network works with cities around the world to support them in introducing, improving and transforming their cities’ BRT systems. The network serves as a platform for cities to share best practices and technical expertise through calls, webinars as well as in-person workshops. By bringing cities together, and convening and collaborating with key stakeholders, the network acts as a catalyst for action, accelerating the implementation and improvement of BRT systems.

The Network is supported through partnerships with two organizations that work to catalyze the development of sustainable transportation solutions: the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) and EMBARQ.

“When Chicago sought to implement bus rapid transit to connect diverse neighborhoods, increase high-quality transportation options and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we looked to BRT examples from around the world, including Santiago, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and Buenos Aires. C40’s Bus Rapid Transit Network is connecting cities with common transportation goals, and network support is helping Chicago as we expand BRT solutions for residents, commuters, and visitors.”

Awards

Bogotá is the winner of the Urban Transportation category for its TransMilenio + E-Taxis project. In spite of financing constraints and a fast growing population, the city took on the challenge of improving its public transport infrastructure. Bogotá’s widely praised bus rapid transit (BRT) system, TransMilenio, now carries some 1.5 million passengers per day on a network of 87 kilometres. The city also began testing electric and hybrid buses on some routes last year, and took part in the Latin American Hybrid Electric Bus Test Programme (HEBTP), an initiative designed to test hybrid and all-electric buses in Latin America, in real-world conditions. The scale of the city’s ambition, when combined with a number of already demonstrated actions, culminated in a project that will impact the lives of all of Bogotá’s citizens and significantly reduce the city’s carbon emissions. To complement these initiatives, electric taxis are to begin operating in Bogotá as part of a pilot project. Taxis have the largest CO2 emissions per passenger in the city. A conversion to electric vehicle technology is expected to avoid the daily consumption of seven gallons of fossil fuel per vehicle, thereby cutting operating costs by more than 80 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent across the taxi fleet.

Partners

EMBARQ is a program of the World Resources Institute in Washington, D.C. EMBARQ’s mission is to catalyze and help implement sustainable transport solutions to improve quality of life in cities.

C40 and EMBARQ signed an MOU in January 2013, committing to work together towards shared goals of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and supporting adaptation and mitigation measures through sustainable transportation policies and projects.

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) provides technical transport and planning expertise to local authorities in cities around the world – promoting transport solutions that cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of urban life.

C40 and ITDP signed an MOU in June 2012 to work together towards shared goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting adaptation measures through sustainable and equitable transportation policies and projects in C40 cities.